§ MR. BELL (Derby)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fatal accident which occurred near London Bridge Station on the 18th July to a boy named Percy James Southey, who was travelling in a South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Company's train; whether he is aware that at the inquest it transpired that efforts made to stop the train by means of the communication cord were unsuccessful in consequence of the latter being out of order, and whether he proposes to order an inquiry into the matter.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD, OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR, Leeds, Central)Yes, Sir, the Board of Trade are in communication with the railway company in this case, and when their reply has been received I will consider whether an inquiry can usefully be held.